Dragon outlasts Tyger, takes the Causeway Battle

By DonalBane of Blakmers

Battlefield Correspondent, Pennsic Independent

After 20 War Points: Midrealm Dragons 19,
East Tygers 1

A hot and bright morning greeted the two grand armies Thursday as the Midrealm and the East met to face each other in the causeway battle. This was the second straight year the fort hosted this rollicking affair.

Each side took turns attacking and defending the fort. Attackers got unlimited resurrections while the defenders received none as they attempted to overrun the opposing kings banner in the center of the fort. Whichever side held out the longest would receive three War Points.

The first fight saw the Midrealm on the defensive. The Dragon dispatched the forces from Atlantia to the east gate with Calontir, Outlands and Northshield in reserve. The Darkyard Legion and House Red Wing Lion took the west gate, with Ealdormere and AEthelmearc in reserve. In the center, Trimaris, House Darkmoon and House Stahlgeist held the battlements with the rest of the Midrealm army in central reserve.

As the first battle began, the Midrealm lines held firm and a solid wall of ballista and trebuchet fire made the causeway a dangerous place to be. For 20 minutes, the gate defenses held firm, but then the East was able to break through the defenses on the east gate. A rush of warriors from Markland, the Tuchux, Black Talon, and elements of the Northern Army, led by HRH Darius of the East, crashed into the remaining forces of the Midrealm King's Guard and the Oaken Army. HRM Alaric was soon overrun and the fort was surrendered at 22:53.

The two armies switched sides and the Tyger attempted to outlast the Midrealm's time. HRM Kelson deployed the Northern Army and Drachenwald to the east gate, while Black Talon and the Southern Army were sent to the east gate. The East's western allies and the Ironlance Company led the defense of the central gate, with Markland, the Tuchux and Rome and House Bloodguard in the reserve.

The west gate defenses were virtually unmovable as Black Talon and friends did not allow a single Midrealmer or ally inside the fort. The east gate also held firm early on. Surprisingly, the Midrealm seemed to gain an early foothold inside the central gate, despite this being the hardest gate to punch through in past battles. More and more reserves were committed to the central gate until a small group of Midrealm fighters bubbled out the side of the kill pocket. However, the East's final reserves closed the gap.

At the same time, the East's defenses at the east gate collapsed. An international coalition led by Northshield and containing Midrealm, Outlands, Calontir and AEthelmearc fighters descended on HRM Kelson like locusts. HRM Kelson waved the flag in surrender with 16:27 elapsed on the clock, giving the Midrealm the victory.

HRM Tarrach of Northshield assembled his fighters on the causeway after the fight.

"There was no hesitation this time," HRM Tarrach said. "We charged hard and we ended this battle quickly."

Friday's Big Battle

The Field of Honour

This is the big one. A fitting end to a week of mass melees as the East and Midrealm will meet for a final time in this non-resurrection, last man standing brawl. There will be three fights, each worth one War Point, and the last one will allow for combat archery.

What to watch for: One of the greatest spectacles in the Known World. The first charge of the field battle is always a sight to behold.